Order of Malta Moment
December 21, 2012
Florida Retreat
All Federal Association members and candidates are invited to the Federal Association’s annual Florida Retreat on January 25-27 at the Marywood Retreat House outside of Jacksonville, Florida. Located on the shores of the St. John’s River, Marywood provides a peaceful and picturesque setting for 2 ½ days of prayer and spiritual reflection. Fr. Eric Hollas, OSB, a professor of theology at St. John’s University (MN) and a chaplain of the Western Association of the Order, will be the retreat director. Please click here to open up the retreat “brochure” that has information about the retreat house and the retreat director – and it will have the complete schedule for the weekend. You will also be able to access our very-easy-to-use on-line registration form. Please contact Warren Powers or the Federal Association office if you have any questions or if we can be of any assistance.
Lancaster Region 6-Year Anniversary
The Lancaster Hospitaller Region recently celebrated their six year anniversary as a region of the Federal Association. Following the final 2012 monthly Mass, members, candidates, auxiliary and spouses gathered for a dinner at the Hamilton Club. Patrick Whalen gave his parting remarks as the outgoing Regional Hospitaller presented three Hospitaller awards. The Our Lady of Philermos Stewardship Award was presented to Thomas Beeman and James Pickard; the Monsignor Thomas Smith Dedicated Service Award was presented to Gerry Ganse (pictured at left), and the Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades Humble Servant Award was presented to Clair McCormick. The Lancaster Region members gave Patrick Whalen a surprise gift of a commissioned oil painting for his term of service as the Regional Hospitaller. Beginning January 1, Peter Scudner will be the new Regional Hospitaller in Lancaster.
Poinsettias Delivered in Washington
(left to right) Barbara Jones, Fra’ John Harvey, Barbara Patocka, James Koltes and (kneeling) Marguerite Baxter. Mr. Koltes and Ms. Baxter are members of the candidate class of 2013
Every year the members of the Order from Holy Trinity Parish in Washington bring poinsettias and Christmas blessings to the homebound and the elderly in the area. This year, after gathering for liturgy and reflection, 13 knights and dames and one candidate made the visits.
Annual Appeal Update
Many, many thanks to the 294 members and friends who have contributed to the 2013 Annual Appeal. We have received $338,188 to date, and are hoping that everyone will support our Association’s grants program by making a contribution (or pledge) to the 2013 Appeal. To view our on-line payment page, please click here.
March for Life
Once again this year all Federal Association members (and family and friends) are invited to attend a Mass and luncheon on the day of the National March for Life in Washington. Bishop Raymond Boland will be the celebrant at the Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Washington. There will be a light lunch after Mass, and transportation downtown for those who wish to participate in the march. Please click here for details and sign-up.
Membership Directory Updates
In the coming weeks we will be working on the print version of the Association’s Handbook and Membership Directory. You can help by taking a good look at your profile in the ’12 Directory and letting us know if there should be any changes. New address or e-mail address? New job title? Please let us know if there is anything that we should change. Please click here to access the easy-to-use “Profile Revision” form.
Upcoming Events:
Dec 22 - Syracuse - Pancake Breakfast at Assumption Parish Center. Volunteers arrive at 7:30AM. Contact: Pat Fallon
Jan 7 - Charlotte - Room at the Inn, service project for homeless men. Contact: Barbara Laughlin
Jan 11-13 - Memphis - Retreat at Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center, Dancyville, TN. Contact: Robert Hutton
Jan 14 - Lancaster - Sanctity of Life Mass at 7:00 PM; St. John Neumann Church in Lancaster. Please click here.
Jan 20 - 25 - New Orleans - Order of Malta Home Repair Program - work week # 2. Please click here for details and sign-up sheet.
Jan 25 - Wash DC - National March for Life - 10:00 AM - Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, lunch, transportation to march. Please click here for information and sign-up.
Jan 25-27 - Florida Retreat - Marywood Retreat Center in Jacksonville. Please click here for more information and to access on-line registration form.
Feb 8 - 11 - Rome - Pilgrimage to Rome to commemorate 900 year anniversary of the signing of the Papal Bull that officially recognized the Order of Malta an order of the Catholic Church.
Feb 21 - Wash DC - Lenten Evening of Reflection - 6:30 PM - Mass at Church of the Annunciation followed by soup supper and reflection.
Mar 3 - 9 - Nicaragua - Order of Malta Medical Mission to Nicaragua. For information, please contact Dr. Frank Schmidt .
Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta
Federal Association, U.S.A.
1730 M Street, NW | Suite 403 | Washington, DC 20036
202.331.2494 | Email Us